Petrol price hike: Urgent debate sought

Kuwaiti lawmakers on Thursday requested an emergency session of Parliament to debate a government decision that increased petrol prices by up to roughly 80 percent.
Kuwait’s Parliament is in summer recess until mid-October but a majority of the 50-member house can demand an emergency session to debate pressing issues.
MP Ahmad Al-Qhudhaibi said 35 lawmakers signed the motion to discuss why the government raised its heavily subsidized petrol prices for the first time in almost two decades.
The increase, which came into effect on Sept. 1, was harshly criticized by a large number of MPs and civil society organizations.
In their motion, lawmakers said the move had resulted in a rise in the prices of commodities and goods.
MPs want the government to compensate Kuwaiti citizens who comprise around 30 percent of the 4.3 million population, which also includes about three million foreigners.
The date of the meeting will be worked out with the government.
The Cabinet has said the decision is part of a series of measures to meet a budget deficit due to a sharp drop in oil revenues, which previously made up around 95 percent of the country’s total income.

Source: Arab News